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Need for solidarity with a large family that is approaching the realization of the dream: the healing of two of the 6 childrentranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

In the Tribute Year of the Pastoral of the Christian Family, Basilica.ro brings a special family back into focus. Cristinel and Valentina Rusu have six children, two of whom - Ioan and Teodor - suffer from a rare neurodegenerative disease, detected in only 25 people worldwide.

While struggling to care for all their children, including the two with special needs, the parents sought a treatment for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4J (CMT4J), which Ioan and Teodor suffer from. Their body does not produce a protein essential for the functioning of the nervous system, which over time leads to paralysis and loss of sensory capabilities.

After learning that a cure was possible, the parents launched a fundraising campaign with an ambitious goal: to collect 2 million euros for gene therapy that could repair the children's DNA with a simple injection.

Children's Christmas gift: hope Cristian and Valentina Rusu participated together with Ioan and Teodor at the Christmas charity concert of theological students on December 12, 2025. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene “Dear Santa, please bring us the cure for…

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Mark Wilson

That's a tough road for the Rusu family with six kids and two battling CMT4J. The idea of fixing the missing protein with one injection sounds almost like science fiction, but if it's real I hope they hit that 2 million euro target soon. Will keep them in my prayers tonight.

Elena Lungu

Poor Ioan and Teodor, to reach 25 cases worldwide and still have that hope with the injection... My heart sank reading how the parents are raising 2 million euros for the two boys, in addition to caring for the other four. I will also light a candle tomorrow at the church for the Rusu family.

يوسف صايغ

Sărmanii Ioan și Teodor, for 25 days of cash in the lume și totuși părinții ăștia cu șase copii reușesc să strângă pentru injecția aia of 2 milion of euros. Mi s-a făcut milă când am citit cum au fost the concert studenților teologi de Crăciun și au cerut tratament de la Moș Crăciun. O să pun și eu o o lumânare mâine the biserică pentru ei.

Matthew Brown

The Rusu family has their hands full with six kids and two boys missing that key protein for CMT4J. One injection to fix the DNA sounds like a long shot, but if it really works for those 25 cases worldwide I hope they make the two million euros. I'll remember them at liturgy this week.

Ioana Stan

Poor Ioan and Teodor, with this rare disease that affects only 25 people in the world. My heart sank reading how Cristinel and Valentina, with four more children to raise, are running after the 2 million euros for that injection that would repair their DNA. I'm also going to light a candle Sunday at church for them.

Красимира Маркова

Sărmanii Ioan și Teodor, doar 25 de cases în lume și still parents ăștia cu și copii aleargă păpu 2 milioni de euro pentru injecția aia care să le repare ADN-ul. Mi s-a strandin inima când am citit cum au fost la concertul studentilor teologi de Crăciun și i-au cerut tratament lui Moș Crăciun. O să pun și eu o lumânare mâine la Sf. Troița pentru ei.

ريتا حداد

May God give them strength. Six children, two of whom are sick with this rare disease, which has only 25 cases in the world, and yet Christinelle and Valentina are trying to collect two million euros for the injection that repairs the DNA. I will remind them to pray today and light a small candle.

Πέτρος Σταθόπουλος

Sărmanii Ioan și Teodor, cu boala asta rară care lovește doar 25 de oumien pe lume. Mi s-a inima citind cum Cristinel și Valentina, cu still patru copii de persult, aleargă după cei 2 milione de euro pentru injectia aia care le-ar repara ADN-ul. O să pun și eu o lumânare mâine la biserică pentru ei.

Anna Moore

The Rusu family really has their hands full with six kids and two of the boys missing that one protein for CMT4J. It's heartbreaking they only found 25 cases worldwide yet still managed to get to that Christmas concert with Ioan and Teodor asking Father Christmas for the injection. I'll light a candle for them at St George's this Sunday and pray they reach the two million.

Samuel Collins

The Rusu family sounds like they're carrying a massive load with six kids and Ioan and Teodor missing that key protein for CMT4J. One injection to fix their DNA after only 25 cases worldwide feels like a long shot, but it's good they took the boys to that theology students' Christmas concert. I'll keep them in my prayers and light a candle at St Mary's this weekend.